Calendar

Follow the links at the bottom of this page for a schedule of assignments for each week this semester. Within each week, you will find daily listings of assignments. Each bullet point for the day is a different task for you to complete. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all assignments are to be completed before class on the day listed.

This course calendar may be updated throughout the semester. I'll notify you about any major changes, but you are still responsible for keeping up with the current schedule.

IMPORTANT: You must visit all of the links provided within the course calendar. There are many links to follow and read. Make sure you visit all of them. Some links provide easy access to other parts of the class site which will help you in your assignments. Some links are to required readings. Others provide you with detailed instructions on completing the assignments. Eventually, you may come to know the instructions which supplement assignments that are repeated throughout the course, but it's still a good idea to continue to revisit the instructions to make sure that you are satisfying all of the requirements.

Week 1

Coursework and activities TBA.

Monday 7

  • Course Introduction (website, major projects, ethical business writing, weekly work blogs, calendar, website)
  • Personal Introductions (Name, Major, Year, Interests in Field, Why is writing important for what you are doing?)
  • Purchase Professional Writing Online at the book's website or at Follett's or University Bookstore. It is cheapest to buy it online. Also, purchase the courspack at Copymat by Friday.
  • For WEDS, 9: Getting Started 1-3; How to Post Comments and Replies; How to Post to Your Individual Weblog; Learning to Navigate the Site; Principles for Comments and Replies; Principles for Posting to Your Weblog; Principles of Reading Responses. All found at: http://www.digitalparlor.org/sp08/buchanan2/guidelines

    • Wednesday 9

  • Using Professional Writing Website
  • Using PWonline...it's more confusing than you would think. Powerpoint Presentation.
  • What is a Memo and how to write an professional Email

    • For Friday, 11:

  • In PWOnline, read the following in the Rhetoric of Professional Writing Chapter (check the sidebar and REMEMBER you must be logged on to the book first!):
    • Understanding Purpose
    • The Complex Nature of Writing
    • Evaluating Writing
    • Technology and Writing/Work in the 21st Century
    • Collaboration and Team Writing
    • Types of Documents (Genres)
    • Terminology: What Is Professional Writing?
    • By end of today, must be logged on as a User for the Course Website
    • Respond to Reading Blog #1 and discuss at least two of the sections you read (2 paragraphs)
    • Complete and email the Student Information Sheet (attached below) before 1:00 P.M. next class

    Friday 11

  • Reading Response Memo Due!!!
  • Rhetoric and Professional Writing (What is important, why do we write, how can you communicate)
  • How does current technology change the way we work. For example: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161

    • For MONDAY:

  • Job Searching Resources (Where to look, What to look for, and Performing additional research)
  • Using the textbook and Professional Writing at Purdue resources, begin to search for three jobs that are viable possibilities.
  • DON'T FORGET: FIRST WWL DUE THIS SATURDAY
  • Bring a current (printed) copy of your resume to class on Monday.

    • Week 2

    Coursework and activities TBA.

    Monday 14

  • Discuss Employment Choices & Job Search
  • Professional Ethos: Other Employment Considerations
  • Read all the material on resumes in PW Online—beginning in Section 1.6.3.1—for Weds.
  • Complete Rough Draft Step 1 of the Employment Project by Weds. Complete the Job Ad Analysis for all three jobs (1 definite and two back-ups.)

    • Wednesday 16

  • Discuss Resume Guidelines from PWonline
  • What makes an effective Resume? What are the goals of a Resume?
  • Discuss for Weds:

    • Friday 18

  • Go over in groups (i.e. be prepared to openly present one of the links below).
  • Skeptical Resume Reader Article
  • Resumes: What Not To Do
  • Classic Resume Screw-Ups
  • Bad Resumes: Stuff Actually Put On Resumes
  • CCO Job Search Manual
  • Examples from the text

    • Be Logged on First

  • Online Writing Lab
  • Personal Assessment of Field Resume (200 words) Due by Monday on front page
  • For Weds:
  • Read about cover letters—beginning in Section 1.6.3.2—for Tuesday
  • Review the Following Samples of Cover Letters:
  • Read The Rhetoric of Employment Documents and think about how resumes and cover letters are situated in an employment process
  • Bring a cover letter example (preferably from your field) to class Weds.

    • Week 3

    Coursework and activities TBA.

    Monday 21

    No Class...Have Fun (Remember Personal Assessment Due Today)!

    Wednesday 23

  • Discuss the Principles of a Coverletter in PWonline 1.6.3.2 section
  • Analzye Sample Coverletters...What works, what doesn't?
  • For Friday: Read "Concision" in the Williams' Style section of the coursepack
  • Coverletter Assesment (http://careernetwork.msu.edu/students/findingajob/resumes-letters-1/cove...) due Friday. Final Resume Points on Design & Questions

    • Friday 25

  • How to write with Concision (possible quiz over Williams' chapter)
  • Concision and Cover letter Worskhop
  • REMEMBER THAT ALL FIRST WORKSHOP COVERLETTERS AND RESUMES ARE DUE BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!!!!

    • Week 4: Workshop Papers Due Last Saturday!!!

    Coursework and activities TBA.

    Monday 28

  • Resume & Cover letter Workshop 1. Edit comments are due, via email (jmbuchan@purdue.edu), to me by midnight tonight.
  • Resume & Coverletter Papers Workshop 2 Due Weds by midnight.

    • Wednesday 30

  • Second Day: Workshop 1. Edit comments for Workshop 2 are due, via email (jmbuchan@purdue.edu), to me by midnight tonight.

    • Friday 1

  • Workshop 2: Day 1. Remember all comments should've been emailed to me

    • Week 5

    Coursework and activities TBA.

    Monday 4

  • Second Workshop Day 2
  • Employment Portfolio Due Wed. 6
  • For Weds:

    • Read the following articles

    • Read: The Steak Behind the Sizzle: Effective Marketing Using White Papers (Attached Below)
    • Read: In PWOnline, White Papers
    • Read White Paper Example (attached below)

    Wednesday 6

  • Employment Project Due at the beginning of Class!!!
  • Discuss White Paper Examples in Class
  • Use Friday's Readings and apply to previous class examples

    • Friday 8

  • Second Workshop Day 2
  • Employment Portfolio Due Monday 11
  • For Monday:
    • Read White Papers
      • Genre
      • Conventions
      • Design
      • Topics

    • Readings and Items Due

      • Read: The Steak Behind the Sizzle: Effective Marketing Using White Papers (Attached Below)
      • Read: In PWOnline, White Papers
      • Employment Project Due at the beginning of Class!!!
      • Review Qualities of Technical Writing
      • Discuss White Paper Examples in Class
      • Discuss General White Paper Qualities
      • In Coursepak: "Writing in High Tech Firms.”

    Week 6: White Paper Section Begins This Week

    Coursework and activities TBA.

    Monday 11

    IN-CLASS:

  • Employment Project Due at the beginning of Class!!!
  • Review Qualities of Technical & Tech Firm Writing
  • Discuss White Paper Examples in Class
  • Discuss General White Paper Qualities

    • FOR WEDS.

  • Read: "Becoming a Research Writer" for Weds.
  • Discuss White Paper Examples & White Paper Research

    • Wednesday 13

  • Power Point (in-class): How to Research? Lexis/Nexis, Business Pro Elite, Google, and Beyond. See below.
  • Discuss Research Writer

    • FOR FRIDAY:

  • In Coursepak: Read "Longer Reports, Proposals." in VanAlstyne
  • START A RESEARCH PLAN

    • Friday 15

    ACITVIES & READINGS:

  • Sign up for proposal conferences on Fri. 22
  • Begin preliminary research for research proposal and drafting
  • Discuss Proposals (check link in White Paper Project)
  • Discuss White Proposal Examples

    • FOR MONDAY:

  • In Coursepak: "Guide to Report Writing."
  • Read Gareth's Guide to Writing http://www.streettech.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&...
  • Report Writing Qualities

    • Week 7: Group Meetings and Proposals Due 22

    Assignments and activities for Week 7

    Monday 18

  • Report Writing Basics, Style, and Technique
  • Non-Suckyness Writing
  • In-Class Activity: Writing analysis of White Papers

    • FOR WEDS.

  • In Coursepak: Samuels "The Technical Writing Process"
  • Guidelines to Progress Reports (http://www.engl.niu.edu/wac/progrgd.html

    • Wednesday 20

  • Discuss the Progress Report.
  • In-Class Work time to Prepare for Proposal Meeting on Friday

    • FRIDAY:

  • Proposal Meetings. Must have: One final copy of proposal, research plan, and schedule of dates of completion

    • Friday 22 Individual Meetings & Proposal Due!

  • Individual Meetings, as per sign-up schedule. Remember, meetings are to be held in Heavilon 214.

    • MONDAY:

  • Robin William's Handout(s)
  • From PW Online, read the following sections on writing reports:

    Week 8 Annotated Bibliography Draft Due Fri

    Assignments and activities for Week 8

    Monday 25

    DISCUSS DESIGNS

  • Robin William's Handout(s)
  • From PW Online, discuss the following sections on writing reports in relation to WP examples:

    • Wednesday 27

    IN-Class:

  • Interviewing Tactics & Practice

    • FRIDAY:

  • Style and Editing: Read Williams "Clarity" & Editing Handout

    • Friday 29 Annotated Bibliography Due Today

    IN-Class:

  • ANNOTATED BIB DRAFT DUE TODAY
  • Editing Practice & Discussion
  • The Final Stages: Putting it together & Heading towards the end.

    • FOR MONDAY:

  • In-Class Work Day to Prepare for WP peer-review

    • Week 9 WP Peer Review Weds. 5

    Assignments and activities for Week 9

    Monday 2

  • In-Class Work Day (not being prepared can result in an absence)

    • FOR WEDS:

    Wednesday 5

    IN-Class:

  • In-Class Work Day (not being prepared can result in an absence)

    • FRIDAY:

  • OPTIONAL Meetings with me. I am willing to read over any WP and answer any last minute questions

    • Friday 7

    OPTIONAL REVIEW DAY WITH INSTRUCTOR (highly recommended)

    Week 10: Spring Break

    Assignments and activities for Week 10

    Week 11: March 17, 19, 21

    Mar 17
    Writing Peer-Review Day
    Weds:

    Design Peer-Review

    Mar 19
    Design Peer-Review Day

    Fri:

    White Papers Due
    How to deal with Complaints

    Mar 21
    Honest Writing Practices
    In-Class Analysis of (un)honest Writing
    In-Class Response to Honest Writing

    MONDAY:
    Reading: Designing & Writing Instructions
    (PWonline 3.12)

    Week 12: March 24, 26, 28

    March 24

    Quiz: Designing & Writing Instructions
    Designing & Writing Instructions Discussion (PWonline 3.12)
    Find Instruction Examples and bring them to class on the 26th Also Read 32-48 in Coursepack

    March 26
    Discussion of Final Group Project (and Groups)
    In-Class Critique of Instruction Writing
    Find Brochure Examples & Read General Brochure Tips (pdf below)for Friday

    March 28
    Brochure Powerpoint
    Brochure Analysis
    In-Class Work Time for Service Learning
    Reading for Monday : Pwonline
    Introduction to Policy Writing (1.5.1)
    Why Policy Writing Requires Research (1.5.1.1)
    Ethics in Policy Writing (1.5.1.2)

    Week 13: Mar 31, Ap 2, Ap 4

    Mar 31:
    Read General Brochure Tips (pdf below)
    Assignment is in PowerPoint attachment

    Apr. 2:
    Brochure Analysis Due. Remember to bring examples.
    In-Class Work Time for Service Learning
    100 Word Proposal Memo is Due
    Reading for Monday : Pwonline
    Introduction to Policy Writing (1.5.1)
    Why Policy Writing Requires Research (1.5.1.1)

    Apr. 4:
    Manual & Handbooks Powerpoint
    Policy Writing Questions
    Handbook Analysis
    Small Writing Assignment: What makes good Policy?
    Reading for next class: PWonline
    Proofreading (3.16.9)
    Proofreading for Reports (3.16.10)
    Style and Editing (3.16. Cool

    Week 14: Ap 7, 9, 11

    Ap 7
    Small Writing Assignment Due
    Reading Discussions Proofreading, Proofreading for Brochures, Instructions & Policies
    In-Class Work

    Ap 9
    In-Class Discussion of Press Releases, Marketing material.
    Analysis of Press Releases
    Final Project Proposal Due Weds 9

    Ap 11
    Analysis of Marketing Materials
    Proposal Memo Due
    Clients Must be finalized at this point
    Interviewing Clients
    In-Class Work Day

    Week 15 April 14, 16, 18

    Apr 14 Discussion of Workforce & Future of International tech job

    Apr 16
    Workday in Heavilon 214

    Week 16

    Assignments and activities for Week 16